Forage_VV0 management_NN1 effects_NN2 on_II protein_NN1 and_CC fiber_NN1 fractions_NN2 ,_, protein_NN1 degradability_NN1 ,_, and_CC dry_JJ matter_NN1 yield_NN1 of_IO red_JJ clover_NN1 conserved_VVD as_CSA silage_NN1 Introduction_NN1 With_IW adequate_JJ soil_NN1 moisture_NN1 ,_, dry_JJ matter_NN1 (_( DM_NNU )_) yields_NN2 of_IO red_JJ clover_NN1 can_VM equal_JJ or_CC exceed_VV0 alfalfa_NN1 in_II many_DA2 temperate_JJ regions_NN2 ._. 
Red_JJ clover_NN1 also_RR boasts_VVZ superior_JJ fiber_NN1 digestibility_NN1 and_CC greater_JJR rumen_NN1 undegradable_JJ protein_NN1 (_( RUP_NP1 )_) than_CSN alfalfa_NN1 ,_, but_CCB milk_NN1 yields_VVZ from_II cattle_NN2 fed_VVD red_JJ clover_NN1 diets_NN2 are_VBR usually_RR below_II expectations_NN2 ._. 
Coupling_NN1 of_IO amino_NN1 acids_NN2 to_II o-quinones_NN2 formed_VVN via_II polyphenol_NN1 oxidase_NN1 --_JJ responsible_JJ for_IF low_JJ proteolysis_NN1 in_II red_JJ clover_NN1 --_NN1 increases_VVZ fecal_JJ nitrogen_NN1 excretion_NN1 ,_, suggesting_VVG that_DD1 intestinal_JJ amino_NN1 acid_NN1 absorption_NN1 may_VM be_VBI depressed_JJ ._. 
Poor_JJ performance_NN1 with_IW red_JJ clover_NN1 may_VM also_RR occur_VVI because_CS excessive_JJ RUP_NN1 leaves_VVZ insufficient_JJ rumen_NN1 degradable_JJ protein_NN1 (_( RDP_NP1 )_) for_IF the_AT synthesis_NN1 of_IO rumen_NN1 microbial_JJ proteins_NN2 ,_, a_AT1 vital_JJ source_NN1 of_IO dietary_JJ protein_NN1 for_IF cattle_NN2 ._. 
Previous_JJ work_NN1 with_IW three-cut_JJ harvest_NN1 systems_NN2 indicated_VVD bud-stage_JJ red_JJ clover_NN1 from_II spring_NN1 growth_NN1 was_VBDZ lower_JJR in_II crude_JJ protein_NN1 (_( CP_NP1 )_) and_CC higher_JJR in_II neutral_JJ detergent_NN1 fiber_NN1 (_( NDF_NP1 )_) than_CSN subsequent_JJ summer_NNT1 cuttings_NN2 taken_VVN at_II comparable_JJ maturity_NN1 ._. 
Therefore_RR ,_, earlier_JJR cutting_NN1 of_IO spring_NN1 growth_NN1 may_VM improve_VVI CP_NP1 and_CC NDF_NP1 concentrations_NN2 and_CC their_APPGE uniformity_NN1 across_II harvests_NN2 ._. 
Harvest_VV0 management_NN1 effects_NN2 on_II RDP_NP1 and_CC RUP_VV0 in_II red_JJ clover_NN1 are_VBR not_XX known_VVN ._. 
It_PPH1 is_VBZ also_RR not_XX known_VVN whether_CSW spring_NN1 vs._II late_JJ summer_NNT1 establishment_NN1 influences_VVZ the_AT maturity_NN1 ,_, quality_NN1 and_CC DM_NNU yield_NN1 of_IO red_JJ clover_NN1 during_II the_AT subsequent_JJ production_NN1 year_NNT1 ._. 
The_AT primary_JJ objective_NN1 of_IO this_DD1 study_NN1 was_VBDZ to_TO evaluate_VVI how_RRQ timing_NN1 of_IO first_MD cutting_NN1 influences_VVZ RDP_NP1 ,_, RUP_NP1 ,_, CP_NP1 ,_, and_CC fiber_NN1 constituents_NN2 in_II red_JJ clover_NN1 silage_NN1 and_CC its_APPGE DM_NNU yield_NN1 during_II the_AT first_MD full_JJ production_NN1 year_NNT1 ._. 
A_AT1 secondary_JJ objective_NN1 was_VBDZ to_TO assess_VVI how_RRQ time_NNT1 of_IO establishment_NN1 and_CC harvest_VVI schedule_NN1 during_II the_AT first_MD full_JJ production_NN1 year_NNT1 influences_VVZ the_AT aforementioned_JJ silage_NN1 quality_NN1 parameters_NN2 and_CC total_JJ DM_NNU yield_NN1 of_IO red_JJ clover_NN1 relative_II21 to_II22 alfalfa_NN1 ._. 
Water_NN1 extracts_NN2 of_IO silages_NN2 were_VBDR analyzed_VVN for_IF pH_NN1 and_CC for_IF NH4-N_JJ and_CC free_JJ amino_NN1 acids_NN2 by_II flow-injection_JJ analysis_NN1 ._. 
Ground_NN1 samples_NN2 were_VBDR analyzed_VVN for_IF DM_NNU ,_, CP_NP1 (_( 6.25&times;_FO N_ZZ1 by_II combustion_NN1 )_) ,_, and_CC for_IF borophosphate_NN1 buffer-soluble_JJ CP_NP1 and_CC tungstic_JJ acid_NN1 precipitable_JJ B1_FO protein_NN1 as_CSA described_VVN previously_RR ._. 
Free_JJ peptides_NN2 were_VBDR estimated_VVN by_II subtracting_VVG free_JJ amino_NN1 acids_NN2 ,_, ammonia_NN1 ,_, and_CC B1_FO protein_NN1 from_II buffer-soluble_JJ CP_NP1 ._. 
Ground_NN1 samples_NN2 in_II filter_NN1 bags_NN2 were_VBDR sequentially_RR extracted_VVN with_IW detergents_NN2 and_CC analyzed_VVN by_II combustion_NN1 for_IF N_ZZ1 to_TO estimate_VVI neutral_JJ detergent_NN1 fiber_NN1 (_( NDF_NP1 )_) ,_, acid_NN1 detergent_NN1 fiber_NN1 (_( ADF_NP1 )_) ,_, neutral_JJ detergent_NN1 insoluble_JJ protein_NN1 (_( NDIP_NP1 )_) ,_, and_CC acid_NN1 detergent_NN1 insoluble_JJ protein_NN1 (_( ADIP_NP1 )_) as_CSA described_VVN in_II an_AT1 earlier_JJR study_NN1 ._. 
Fraction_NN1 B2_FO protein_NN1 was_VBDZ estimated_VVN as_CSA borophosphate_NN1 insoluble_JJ CP_NP1 minus_II NDIP_NP1 and_CC fraction_NN1 B3_FO protein_NN1 was_VBDZ estimated_VVN as_CSA NDIP_NP1 minus_II ADIP_NP1 ._. 
Silage_NN1 RDP_NP1 and_CC RUP_NP1 were_VBDR calculated_VVN according_II21 to_II22 the_AT Cornell_NP1 Net_JJ Carbohydrate_NN1 and_CC Protein_NN1 System_NN1 (_( CNCPS_NP1 )_) ,_, using_VVG rate_NN1 constants_NN2 of_IO 1.5_MC h-1_FO for_IF B1_FO ,_, 0.11_MC h-1_FO for_IF B2_FO ,_, and_CC 0.0175_MC h-1_FO for_IF B3_FO and_CC a_AT1 ruminal_JJ passage_NN1 rate_NN1 of_IO 0.06_MC h-1_FO or_CC estimated_VVN by_II incubating_VVG samples_NN2 containing_VVG 8_MC mg_NNU of_IO N_ZZ1 with_IW 2_MC units_NN2 of_IO Streptomyces_NN2 griseus_NN protease_VV0 for_IF 16_MC h_ZZ1 ._. 
Relationships_NN2 between_II protease_NN1 vs_II ._. 
CNCPS_NP1 estimates_NN2 of_IO RDP_NP1 and_CC RUP_NP1 were_VBDR tested_VVN by_II regression_NN1 analyses_NN2 using_VVG data_NN averaged_VVN across_II field_NN1 replicates_VVZ ._. 
Regressions_NN2 were_VBDR tested_VVN for_IF intercepts_VVZ of_IO zero_NN1 and_CC slopes_NN2 of_IO 1.0_MC using_VVG the_AT TEST_NN1 statement_NN1 of_IO PROC_NP1 REG_NP1 (_( SAS_NP1 ,_, 2003_MC )_) ._. 
Data_NN were_VBDR analyzed_VVN using_VVG PROC_NN1 MIXED_VVN (_( SAS_NP1 ,_, 2003_MC )_) ._. 
Seeding_VVG time_NNT1 ,_, species_NN ,_, harvest_VV0 schedule_NN1 ,_, cutting_VVG ,_, year_NNT1 ,_, and_CC their_APPGE interactions_NN2 were_VBDR considered_VVN fixed_JJ effects_NN2 and_CC blocks_NN2 within_II years_NNT2 and_CC associated_JJ interactions_NN2 were_VBDR considered_VVN random_JJ effects_NN2 ._. 
Pair-wise_RR comparisons_NN2 of_IO least_DAT square_JJ means_NN by_II the_AT PDIFF_NN1 procedure_NN1 (_( SAS_NP1 ,_, 2003_MC )_) were_VBDR performed_VVN if_CS F-tests_NN2 were_VBDR significant_JJ (_( P&le;0.05_FO )_) ._. 
Due_II21 to_II22 the_AT differing_JJ timing_NN1 and_CC number_NN1 cuts_VVZ for_IF red_JJ clover_NN1 and_CC alfalfa_NN1 ,_, total_JJ yearly_JJ DM_NNU yield_NN1 and_CC yield-weighted_JJ compositional_JJ means_NN were_VBDR compared_VVN rather_II21 than_II22 data_NN from_II individual_JJ cuttings_NN2 ._. 
Main_JJ effects_NN2 and_CC interactions_NN2 described_VVN in_II the_AT text_NN1 were_VBDR significant_JJ at_II P&le;0.05_FO ._. 
Materials_NN2 and_CC methods_NN2 In_II 2002_MC and_CC 2005_MC near_II Prairie_NN1 du_FW Sac_NN1 ,_, Wisconsin_NP1 ,_, red_JJ clover_NN1 and_CC alfalfa_NN1 were_VBDR no-till_JJ seeded_VVD in_II mid_JJ April_NPM1 or_CC in_II early_JJ August_NPM1 after_II harvest_NN1 of_IO winter_NNT1 wheat_NN1 (_( Triticum_NP1 aestivum_NN1 L._NP1 )_) grain_NN1 and_CC straw_NN1 ._. 
Factorial_JJ combinations_NN2 of_IO forage_NN1 species_NN and_CC time_NNT1 of_IO seeding_NN1 were_VBDR assigned_VVN to_II plots_NN2 according_II21 to_II22 a_AT1 randomized_JJ complete_JJ block_NN1 design_NN1 with_IW four_MC replications_NN2 ._. 
Nutrient_NN1 levels_NN2 in_II the_AT soil_NN1 (_( Fine-silty_JJ ,_, mixed_VVD ,_, superactive_JJ ,_, mesic_JJ Typic_JJ Argiudolls_NP2 )_) and_CC pests_NN2 were_VBDR managed_VVN according_II21 to_II22 Wisconsin_NP1 Cooperative_JJ Extension_NN1 recommendations_NN2 ._. 
Forages_NN2 were_VBDR cut_VVN 5_MC cm_NNU above_II ground_NN1 level_NN1 with_IW a_AT1 sickle_NN1 bar_NN1 mower_NN1 ._. 
During_II establishment_NN1 ,_, April-seeded_JJ forages_NN2 were_VBDR cut_VVN two_MC or_CC three_MC times_NNT2 ;_; total_JJ yearly_JJ DM_NNU yields_NN2 averaged_VVD 8.4_MC t/ha_FU for_IF red_JJ clover_NN1 and_CC 6.5_MC t/ha_FU for_IF alfalfa_NN1 ._. 
August-seeded_JJ forages_NN2 were_VBDR not_XX harvested_VVN during_II establishment_NN1 ._. 
During_II first_MD full_JJ production_NN1 years_NNT2 ,_, red_JJ clover_NN1 subplots_NN2 were_VBDR cut_VVN early_RR on_II 7_MC June_NPM1 or_CC late_RR on_II 14_MC June_NPM1 and_CC two_MC additional_JJ cuts_NN2 were_VBDR taken_VVN after_II 40_MC &plusmn;_FO 4.1_MC d_ZZ1 (_( mean_VV0 &plusmn;_FO standard_JJ deviation_NN1 )_) of_IO regrowth_NN1 ._. 
Alfalfa_NN1 subplots_NN2 were_VBDR cut_VVN early_RR on_II 26_MC May_NPM1 with_IW three_MC regrowth_NN1 harvests_NN2 taken_VVN after_II 32_MC &plusmn;_FO 5.9_MC d_ZZ1 or_CC late_RR following_VVG the_AT same_DA schedule_NN1 as_CSA early_RR cut_VV0 red_JJ clover_NN1 ._. 
Mean_JJ stage_NN1 weight_NN1 (_( MSW_NP1 )_) was_VBDZ used_VVN to_TO estimate_VVI plant_NN1 maturity_NN1 at_II harvest_NN1 ._. 
Roll-conditioned_JJ herbage_NN1 was_VBDZ wilted_VVN for_IF 24_MC h_ZZ1 in_II forced-draft_JJ ovens_NN2 (_( 32_MC &deg;C_NNU day_NNT1 ,_, ambient_JJ night_NNT1 temperatures_NN2 )_) ,_, coarsely_RR chopped_VVN ,_, and_CC ensiled_VVN in_II 1_MC1 L_ZZ1 glass_NN1 jars_NN2 for_IF 90_MC d_ZZ1 at_II 25_MC &deg;C_NNU ._. 
Silages_NN2 were_VBDR freeze-dried_JJ and_CC ground_NN1 with_IW a_AT1 cyclone_NN1 mill_NN1 using_VVG a_AT1 2-mm_JJ screen_NN1 ._. 
Water_NN1 extracts_NN2 of_IO silages_NN2 were_VBDR analyzed_VVN for_IF pH_NN1 and_CC for_IF NH4-N_JJ and_CC free_JJ amino_NN1 acids_NN2 by_II flow-injection_JJ analysis_NN1 ._. 
Ground_NN1 samples_NN2 were_VBDR analyzed_VVN for_IF DM_NNU ,_, CP_NP1 (_( 6.25&times;_FO N_ZZ1 by_II combustion_NN1 )_) ,_, and_CC for_IF borophosphate_NN1 buffer-soluble_JJ CP_NP1 and_CC tungstic_JJ acid_NN1 precipitable_JJ B1_FO protein_NN1 as_CSA described_VVN previously_RR ._. 
Free_JJ peptides_NN2 were_VBDR estimated_VVN by_II subtracting_VVG free_JJ amino_NN1 acids_NN2 ,_, ammonia_NN1 ,_, and_CC B1_FO protein_NN1 from_II buffer-soluble_JJ CP_NP1 ._. 
Ground_NN1 samples_NN2 in_II filter_NN1 bags_NN2 were_VBDR sequentially_RR extracted_VVN with_IW detergents_NN2 and_CC analyzed_VVN by_II combustion_NN1 for_IF N_ZZ1 to_TO estimate_VVI neutral_JJ detergent_NN1 fiber_NN1 (_( NDF_NP1 )_) ,_, acid_NN1 detergent_NN1 fiber_NN1 (_( ADF_NP1 )_) ,_, neutral_JJ detergent_NN1 insoluble_JJ protein_NN1 (_( NDIP_NP1 )_) ,_, and_CC acid_NN1 detergent_NN1 insoluble_JJ protein_NN1 (_( ADIP_NP1 )_) as_CSA described_VVN in_II an_AT1 earlier_JJR study_NN1 ._. 
Fraction_NN1 B2_FO protein_NN1 was_VBDZ estimated_VVN as_CSA borophosphate_NN1 insoluble_JJ CP_NP1 minus_II NDIP_NP1 and_CC fraction_NN1 B3_FO protein_NN1 was_VBDZ estimated_VVN as_CSA NDIP_NP1 minus_II ADIP_NP1 ._. 
Silage_NN1 RDP_NP1 and_CC RUP_NP1 were_VBDR calculated_VVN according_II21 to_II22 the_AT Cornell_NP1 Net_JJ Carbohydrate_NN1 and_CC Protein_NN1 System_NN1 (_( CNCPS_NP1 )_) ,_, using_VVG rate_NN1 constants_NN2 of_IO 1.5_MC h-1_FO for_IF B1_FO ,_, 0.11_MC h-1_FO for_IF B2_FO ,_, and_CC 0.0175_MC h-1_FO for_IF B3_FO and_CC a_AT1 ruminal_JJ passage_NN1 rate_NN1 of_IO 0.06_MC h-1_FO or_CC estimated_VVN by_II incubating_VVG samples_NN2 containing_VVG 8_MC mg_NNU of_IO N_ZZ1 with_IW 2_MC units_NN2 of_IO Streptomyces_NN2 griseus_NN protease_VV0 for_IF 16_MC h_ZZ1 ._. 
Relationships_NN2 between_II protease_NN1 vs_II ._. 
CNCPS_NP1 estimates_NN2 of_IO RDP_NP1 and_CC RUP_NP1 were_VBDR tested_VVN by_II regression_NN1 analyses_NN2 using_VVG data_NN averaged_VVN across_II field_NN1 replicates_VVZ ._. 
Regressions_NN2 were_VBDR tested_VVN for_IF intercepts_VVZ of_IO zero_NN1 and_CC slopes_NN2 of_IO 1.0_MC using_VVG the_AT TEST_NN1 statement_NN1 of_IO PROC_NP1 REG_NP1 ._. 
Data_NN were_VBDR analyzed_VVN using_VVG PROC_NP1 MIXED_VVD ._. 
Seeding_VVG time_NNT1 ,_, species_NN ,_, harvest_VV0 schedule_NN1 ,_, cutting_VVG ,_, year_NNT1 ,_, and_CC their_APPGE interactions_NN2 were_VBDR considered_VVN fixed_JJ effects_NN2 and_CC blocks_NN2 within_II years_NNT2 and_CC associated_JJ interactions_NN2 were_VBDR considered_VVN random_JJ effects_NN2 ._. 
Pair-wise_RR comparisons_NN2 of_IO least_DAT square_JJ means_NN by_II the_AT PDIFF_NN1 procedure_NN1 were_VBDR performed_VVN if_CS F-tests_NN2 were_VBDR significant_JJ (_( P&le;0.05_FO )_) ._. 
Due_II21 to_II22 the_AT differing_JJ timing_NN1 and_CC number_NN1 cuts_VVZ for_IF red_JJ clover_NN1 and_CC alfalfa_NN1 ,_, total_JJ yearly_JJ DM_NNU yield_NN1 and_CC yield-weighted_JJ compositional_JJ means_NN were_VBDR compared_VVN rather_II21 than_II22 data_NN from_II individual_JJ cuttings_NN2 ._. 
Main_JJ effects_NN2 and_CC interactions_NN2 described_VVN in_II the_AT text_NN1 were_VBDR significant_JJ at_II P&le;0.05_FO ._. 
Results_NN2 and_CC discussion_NN1 In_II 2003_MC ,_, precipitation_NN1 and_CC temperatures_NN2 during_II active_JJ forage_NN1 growth_NN1 were_VBDR near_II long-term_JJ norms_NN2 in_II April_NPM1 through_II July_NPM1 ,_, while_CS August_NPM1 was_VBDZ relatively_RR hot_JJ and_CC dry_JJ ._. 
Except_II21 for_II22 a_AT1 dry_JJ June_NPM1 ,_, precipitation_NN1 in_II 2006_MC greatly_RR exceeded_VVN long-term_JJ norms_NN2 ,_, whereas_CS temperatures_NN2 were_VBDR relatively_RR high_JJ in_II April_NPM1 but_CCB near_II normal_JJ during_II other_JJ months_NNT2 ._. 
Due_JJ presumably_RR to_II variations_NN2 in_II growth_NN1 environment_NN1 and_CC the_AT timing_NN1 of_IO regrowth_NN1 cuttings_NN2 ,_, main_JJ effects_NN2 or_CC interactions_NN2 involving_VVG year_NNT1 were_VBDR often_RR significant_JJ ,_, however_RR ,_, they_PPHS2 usually_RR involved_VVN changes_NN2 in_II the_AT magnitude_NN1 rather_II21 than_II22 the_AT direction_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 response_NN1 ._. 
Therefore_RR ,_, data_NN averaged_VVN across_II years_NNT2 are_VBR presented_VVN and_CC discussed_VVN in_II the_AT following_JJ sections_NN2 ._. 
The_AT first_MD cut_NN1 of_IO red_JJ clover_NN1 had_VHD roughly_RR twofold_RR greater_JJR DM_NNU yield_NN1 than_CSN regrowth_NN1 cuttings_NN2 ,_, but_CCB the_AT early_JJ harvest_NN1 schedule_NN1 shifted_VVD some_DD DM_NNU production_NN1 from_II the_AT first_MD to_II the_AT third_MD cut_NN1 and_CC it_PPH1 decreased_VVD MSW_NP1 in_II the_AT first_MD two_MC cuts_NN2 and_CC considerably_RR increased_VVD MSW_NP1 in_II the_AT third_MD cut_NN1 ._. 
The_AT earlier_JJR harvest_NN1 schedule_NN1 decreased_VVD silage_NN1 NDF_NP1 and_CC ADF_NP1 and_CC increased_VVD CP_NP1 in_II the_AT first_MD two_MC cuttings_NN2 ,_, while_CS the_AT opposite_JJ effect_NN1 was_VBDZ observed_VVN in_II the_AT third_MD cut_NN1 ._. 
Treatment_NN1 effects_NN2 on_II silage_NN1 DM_NNU and_CC pH_NN1 were_VBDR significant_JJ but_CCB small_JJ ._. 
Harvest_VV0 schedule_NN1 had_VHD cut_VVN specific_JJ effects_NN2 on_II all_DB buffer-soluble_JJ CP_NP1 fractions_NN2 and_CC on_II most_DAT detergent_NN1 fractions_NN2 except_CS B2_FO and_CC B3_FO in_II red_JJ clover_NN1 silage_NN1 ._. 
Most_RGT notably_RR ,_, the_AT early_JJ harvest_NN1 schedule_NN1 increased_VVD the_AT proportion_NN1 of_IO readily_RR degraded_JJ buffer-soluble_JJ CP_NP1 and_CC reduced_VVD the_AT proportion_NN1 of_IO slowly_RR degraded_JJ NDIP_NN1 in_II the_AT first_MD cutting_NN1 of_IO red_JJ clover_NN1 ._. 
As_II a_AT1 result_NN1 of_IO shifts_NN2 in_II protein_NN1 fractions_NN2 and_CC CP_NP1 content_NN1 ,_, RDP_NP1 on_II a_AT1 DM_NNU basis_NN1 increased_VVN in_II the_AT first_MD two_MC cuts_NN2 and_CC decreased_VVN in_II the_AT third_MD cut_NN1 under_II the_AT early_JJ harvest_NN1 schedule_NN1 ._. 
Harvest_VV0 schedule_NN1 had_VHD cut_VVN specific_JJ ,_, but_CCB modest_JJ effects_NN2 on_II RUP_NP1 in_II red_JJ clover_NN1 silage_NN1 ._. 
Overall_RR ,_, shifting_VVG from_II a_AT1 late_JJ to_II an_AT1 early_JJ harvest_NN1 schedule_NN1 improved_VVD the_AT seasonal_JJ distribution_NN1 of_IO yield_NN1 and_CC the_AT nutritional_JJ value_NN1 and_CC uniformity_NN1 red_JJ clover_NN1 silage_NN1 across_II cuttings_NN2 ._. 
Regression_NN1 analysis_NN1 of_IO data_NN from_II both_RR years_NNT2 suggest_VV0 reasonable_JJ levels_NN2 of_IO calculated_JJ RDP_NP1 (_( 150_MC g/kg_NNU DM_NNU )_) and_CC NDF_NP1 (_( 400_MC g/kg_NNU DM_NNU )_) for_IF lactating_VVG dairy_NN1 cattle_NN2 (_( NRC_NP1 ,_, 2001_MC )_) could_VM be_VBI obtained_VVN by_II harvesting_VVG red_JJ clover_NN1 at_II MSW_NP1 of_IO roughly_RR 2.0_MC at_RR21 first_RR22 cut_VVN ,_, 3.0_MC at_II second_MD cut_NN1 ,_, and_CC 3.5_MC to_II 4.0_MC at_II third_MD cut_NN1 ._. 
Taking_VVG first_MD and_CC second_MD cuts_NN2 at_II these_DD2 maturities_NN2 also_RR kept_VVD RUP_NP1 relatively_RR low_JJ (_( &le;50_FO g/kg_NNU DM_NNU )_) ,_, but_CCB third_MD cut_NN1 RUP_NN1 remained_VVD high_JJ (_( &ge;60_FO g/kg_NNU DM_NNU )_) at_II all_DB plant_NN1 maturities_NN2 ._. 
For_IF growers_NN2 ,_, these_DD2 target_VV0 MSW_NP1 values_NN2 correspond_VV0 to_II taking_VVG a_AT1 first_MD cut_NN1 at_II a_AT1 late_JJ vegetative_JJ growth_NN1 stage_NN1 with_IW buds_NN2 just_RR appearing_VVG on_II a_AT1 few_DA2 plants_NN2 ,_, taking_VVG a_AT1 second_NNT1 cut_VVN when_CS most_DAT plants_NN2 are_VBR bud-stage_JJ with_IW flowers_NN2 just_RR appearing_VVG ,_, and_CC taking_VVG a_AT1 third_MD cut_NN1 when_CS roughly_RR one-third_MF of_IO plants_NN2 are_VBR in_II bloom_NN1 ._. 
Total_VV0 DM_NNU yields_NN2 of_IO red_JJ clover_NN1 and_CC alfalfa_NN1 during_II the_AT production_NN1 year_NNT1 were_VBDR similar_JJ and_CC not_XX influenced_VVN by_II harvest_NN1 schedule_NN1 ,_, but_CCB they_PPHS2 were_VBDR influenced_VVN by_II time_NNT1 of_IO seeding_VVG ;_; April_NPM1 vs_II ._. 
August_NPM1 seeding_VVG depressed_JJ red_JJ clover_NN1 yields_NN2 and_CC maturity_NN1 (_( 12.3_MC t/ha_FU vs._II 13.1_MC t/ha_FU ,_, 2.47_MC MSW_NP1 vs._II 2.59_MC MSW_NP1 )_) ,_, but_CCB increased_JJ alfalfa_NN1 yields_NN2 and_CC maturity_NN1 (_( 12.5_MC t/ha_FU vs._II 11.9_MC t/ha_FU ,_, 3.35_MC MSW_NP1 vs._II 3.04_MC MSW_NP1 )_) ._. 
Effects_NN2 of_IO seeding_VVG time_NNT1 on_II CP_NP1 ,_, fiber_NN1 ,_, or_CC other_JJ silage_NN1 quality_NN1 parameters_NN2 were_VBDR very_RG small_JJ or_CC not_XX significant_JJ (_( data_NN not_XX shown_VVN )_) ._. 
Although_CS the_AT average_JJ MSW_NP1 of_IO late-cut_JJ red_JJ clover_NN1 was_VBDZ similar_JJ to_II early_JJ cut_NN1 alfalfa_NN1 ,_, early_RR cut_VV0 red_JJ clover_NN1 had_VHD fiber_NN1 levels_NN2 that_CST corresponded_VVD more_RGR closely_RR to_II early_JJ cut_NN1 alfalfa_NN1 ,_, while_CS its_APPGE CP_NP1 levels_NN2 more_RGR closely_RR matched_VVN late-cut_JJ alfalfa_NN1 ._. 
Silage_NN1 DM_NNU was_VBDZ similar_JJ for_IF both_RR species_NN ,_, but_CCB pH_NN1 was_VBDZ lower_JJR for_IF red_JJ clover_NN1 than_CSN for_IF alfalfa_NN1 ._. 
Harvest_VV0 schedule_NN1 effects_NN2 on_II MSW_NP1 and_CC on_II silage_NN1 DM_NNU ,_, pH_NN1 ,_, NDF_NP1 ,_, ADF_NP1 and_CC CP_NP1 were_VBDR significant_JJ and_CC often_RR more_RRR pronounced_VVN in_II alfalfa_NN1 than_CSN in_II red_JJ clover_NN1 ._. 
Except_II21 for_II22 comparable_JJ levels_NN2 of_IO B1_FO and_CC ADIP_NP1 ,_, red_JJ clover_NN1 silage_NN1 had_VHD much_DA1 less_DAR buffer-soluble_JJ CP_NP1 components_NN2 and_CC considerably_RR more_RGR detergent-soluble_JJ B2_FO and_CC B3_FO proteins_NN2 than_CSN alfalfa_NN1 silage_NN1 ._. 
Based_VVN on_II these_DD2 CNCPS_NP1 fractions_NN2 ,_, red_JJ clover_NN1 silage_NN1 on_II average_NN1 had_VHD 22%_NNU less_RRR RDP_NP1 and_CC 69%_NNU more_RRR RDP_NP1 than_CSN alfalfa_NN1 silage_NN1 ._. 
Harvest_VV0 schedule_NN1 had_VHD a_AT1 smaller_JJR influence_NN1 on_II protein_NN1 fractions_NN2 and_CC thus_RR early_JJ cutting_NN1 increased_VVD RDP_NP1 levels_NN2 by_II only_RR 11%_NNU in_II red_JJ clover_NN1 and_CC 17%_NNU in_II alfalfa_NN1 with_IW little_JJ or_CC no_AT effect_NN1 on_II RUP_NP1 ._. 
Even_RR with_IW early_JJ cutting_NN1 ,_, RDP_NP1 in_II red_JJ clover_NN1 was_VBDZ still_RR about_RG 20_MC g/kg_NNU DM_NNU less_DAR than_CSN a_AT1 much_RR more_RGR mature_JJ late-cut_JJ alfalfa_NN1 ._. 
Thus_RR ,_, cutting_VVG management_NN1 alone_RR can_VM not_XX shift_VVI what_DDQ might_VM be_VBI excessive_JJ RUP_NN1 in_II red_JJ clover_NN1 to_II RDP_NP1 needed_VVD for_IF microbial_JJ protein_NN1 synthesis_NN1 ._. 
In_II conclusion_NN1 ,_, these_DD2 results_NN2 suggest_VV0 that_CST taking_VVG a_AT1 late_JJ vegetative_JJ first_MD cutting_NN1 of_IO red_JJ clover_NN1 followed_VVN by_II regrowth_NN1 cuttings_NN2 made_VVN at_II progressively_RR later_JJR growth_NN1 stages_NN2 may_VM be_VBI an_AT1 effective_JJ strategy_NN1 for_IF producing_VVG silage_NN1 with_IW reasonable_JJ concentrations_NN2 of_IO calculated_JJ RDP_NP1 (_( 150_MC g/kg_NNU )_) and_CC NDF_NP1 (_( 400_MC g/kg_NNU )_) ._. 
Even_RR with_IW early_JJ cutting_NN1 ,_, however_RR ,_, RDP_NP1 in_II red_JJ clover_NN1 was_VBDZ lower_JJR than_CSN a_AT1 relatively_RR mature_JJ alfalfa_NN1 ,_, thus_RR rumen_NN1 microbial_JJ protein_NN1 synthesis_NN1 in_II cattle_NN2 fed_VVD red_JJ clover_NN1 based_VVN diets_NN2 may_VM still_RR be_VBI impaired_VVN unless_CS RDP_NP1 supplements_NN2 are_VBR fed_VVN ._. 
Finally_RR ,_, early_JJ cutting_NN1 of_IO red_JJ clover_NN1 improved_VVD the_AT seasonal_JJ distribution_NN1 of_IO yield_NN1 without_IW sacrificing_VVG total_JJ yearly_JJ DM_NNU yields_NN2 ,_, but_CCB this_DD1 must_VM be_VBI confirmed_VVN with_IW additional_JJ long-term_JJ studies_NN2 in_II other_JJ growth_NN1 environments_NN2 ._. 
